LG PA6500 series plasma TV is decent for its price (pictures)

The LG PA6500 is a budget plasma with decent picture quality for the price, and one of the cheapest 60-inch TVs you can buy.

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Overview

It's getting toward the spiky end of 2012, and save the mythical appearance of the OLEDs, most of the important TVs have been reviewed. This leaves us with televisions like the PA6500: not a dreadful plasma by any means (no, that's the Panasonic X5), but it's nonetheless a run-of-the-mill budget TV. It does some things right -- shadow detail, natural-looking colors -- and some not-so right -- LCD-like black levels leading to a less "present" picture. While the TV doesn't have any features when compared with more expensive models, if you're looking for more bang for your buck, a "dumb TV" is the way to go. Alas, this isn't the one to go for, as the LG PA6500's biggest problem is something that is actually out of the company's control -- its competition is too good. The entry-level Samsung E450 is the same price, and a much better performer.

Picture settings -- advanced

Picture quality

The PA6500 is essentially a 1080p version of the PA4500 and as a result, its picture quality is very similar to the cheaper TV's. While black levels and shadow details are almost identical in performance, the two do differ in color response. I would describe the PA4500's color as more excitable, with richer skin tones and better color saturation. On the other hand, the PA6500 was more muted, but arguably more accurate.

If the Samsung E450 didn't exist, this TV would probably present a better deal, but for the money you can get a better-performing TV at 50 inches. Plenty of better 60-inch sets are available too, but they do cost more than this LG, making the 60PA6500 a potential bargain pick -- but I'd still pay a couple hundred more to avoid this TV's issues. Yes, the LG does look better than some LCDs up to twice the price, but even at this level it's not enough.